Members of the Livestock Emergency Disease Response System or LEDRS have been meeting in Nebraska for thirteen years, but it's only been in the last few that producers in the state's dairy and pork industries have adopted secure supply plans.

The idea is to get procedure in place now so food can make it to your table, even with an outbreak in the area.

"These are radical new plans that have been put in place just the last few years. Prior to these changes in thinking, all we could do before was quarantine the premises, and for the most part, those products could not be used or put into consumption or production,” said Nebraska State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes. “It would force these businesses out of business, unfortunately."

But, one of the state's largest agriculture industries doesn't have a secure supply plan.

"[The] beef industry has not yet come to the table with anything, but I anticipate that it won't be very long before they do have some kind of plan in place," said Hughes.

He said these kinds of plans are especially important in the Husker State.

"Because agriculture, particularly livestock production, is so huge in our state, we need to do everything we can to prevent a disease like that from doing just economic devastation," said Hughes.

The group of 180 members is discussing the latest diseases of concern this week in Grand Island.

They're also talking about how wildlife could impact livestock and even how disease can spread in Nebraska’s zoos.

Hughes said they welcome more veterinarians and extension educators to join.

They’ll be able to respond in the case of a real livestock disease emergency. For more information, click on the links below: